Furthermore, HCC in the high-risk group based on the cuproptosis-related signature tended to have lower levels of immune checkpoint molecule expression including CD274, CD276, CD4, CTLA4, CXCR4, IL1A, LAG3, TGFB1, TNFRSF4, and TNFSF4, indicating a reduced likelihood of benefiting from immune checkpoint inhibitors. This evidence concerns the gene TGFB1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.